Tucked inside a 36-acre farm in Khalapur, about a two-hour drive both from Mumbai and Pune, is a new day-outing destination. A mock village, with opportunities to get closer to nature and indulge in plenty of safe outdoor activities, can be your getaway from the concrete jungle.
Located in Raigad district, Monteria Village is excellent for spending a whole day with your family and friends. It takes guests back to the roots, recreates the village economy where people depend on each other, focus on healthy eating, and more. Enjoy folk performances, sample local or rural cuisine, teach your kids to play lagori (the rustic game involving a pile of stones and a ball), or even try to pick up a few skills from artisans.
The prettily painted mud and concrete huts, some with thached roofs, are neatly built. Guests can learn how the traditional way of building houses are sustainable and cooler. The entire village setup is a unique experience, especially for children.
According to Rahi Vaghani, Managing Director, Monteria Resort Pvt Ltd, "From the moment a guest enters Monteria Village, they will find themselves transported to village life. They can be a farmer for a day, savour the goodness of home-cooked meals, play a game of lagori or gilli danda, laze on hammocks, swim in a lake and find simple joys of being in a stress-free setup that thrives on a well-nurtured ecosystem."
Here you will find the age-old techniques of open farming to modern adaptations of hydroponic practices. Traditional village techniques are executed using bio-gas, vermi-compost and so on. Guests can sign up for a holistic one-of-a-kind farming course in the Dhanvantri Garden, or take a walk through the areas growing fresh on the farm.
Other activities include walks in the Nakshatra (Zodiac) garden, built on the concept of the 12 zodiac signs, explore a cave tunnel, ride a model green train, a swing circle, and a giant harness swing, or collectively ride a modified 'bullet chakda', something which is only possible in India. There is even a replica of Lakshman Jhula. You can go swimming in the pool attached to a man-made waterfall or a hike trail on a nearby hill.
On the sprawling 36-acre property, you will find carpenters, furniture makers, tailors, potters, metal and stone artists, bamboo and khaat (cot) weavers, blacksmiths, cobblers, and goldsmiths going about their daily work. Join them at their workshops or pick up a souvenir or two. "The people who run the experiences are skilled artisans and workers, which add a spontaneity to the activities. This is an apt option for anyone looking to slow down and spend quality time together with their loved ones," said Vaghani.
And if indulging in all these activities has made you tired, or if you have been looking forward to a restful day, find a hammock and jump in.
Food and beverage is one of the biggest attractions on the farm. There are stalls selling pani puri, chana jor garam or a variety of spicy chaats. There are ice golas and matka curd to choose from. There are options of coconut water, saunf water, kokum drink, marble soda (goti soda), buttermilk, or a cutting chai or coffee. There are women's co-operatives selling homemade papad, pickle and shrikhand. The on-site restaurant, Sabras, serves home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, mostly using ingredients sourced from the farm.
As the day fades, it is time to visit the Anand Mela. The amphitheatre showcases an array of folk music, dance and theatre performances.
Monteria Village offers an all-inclusive package that include breakfast, lunch, hi-tea and Monteria Village experience. It costs INR 1,300 for a child, and INR 1,600 for an adult for a day.
For more details call: 1800 532 9040